marion barry is expected to speak for the first time since a stalking charge. and one more scene going on, this is natalie williams, the spokesperson for marion barry. let's listen in and see if she gets to the main point. >> in past interviews, mr. barry has characterized ms. watts as being unstable. tonight we want to make it known that ms. watts is currently under the care of a local doctor and is decided with a behavior disorder, and inical depression. this diagnosis from a well- respected psychiatrist and is not the sole opinion of mr. barry or ms. watts. ladies and gentlemen of the district of columbia, ms. watts should not be believed.

her allegations against mr. bare bar are just simply not true. they are mr. barry just simply are not true, they are lies. with regard to the allegations regarding councilman barry, let me say that the events surrounding the contract have nothing to do with the events which occurred over the 4th of july weekend. but because of the media choosing to make big of this, i believe it is important to help thresidents of the district of columbia learn about the actions surrounding the contract to ms. watts. ms. watts was awarded a contract by mr. barry in september of 2009. the contract was for six -- i'm sorry in september of 2008. the contract was for $60,000 to begiven out in amounts of 5000

a month. the contract was entitled merging leaders. it was designed to develop a program to identify and recruit and develop the next leaders of ward 8. the contracted was awarded to ms. watts because she met the qualifications for the job. and what was needed to be done for the job. this was council member barry's response to the situation with ms. watts, we are speaking of the fact that ms. watts was about to lose her house, her car, and due to instability of finding employment. mr. barry did in fact do this primarily not because of ms. watts but because of ms. watts' children. the contract which was awarded to ms. watts was done so legally and under the guidelines of city council. the award was processed through

the office of the secretary and the council of the district of columbia. in the same manner in which all contracts are awarded. the fact that the contract was awarded to a friend or a relative -- >> spokesperson for councilman marion barry. not should what happened. we were told that he would in fact be speaking. and it doesn't appear that he is. you can tell what an unusual story that has become. the washington post has reported that marion barry gave a contract because donna watts, the person who filed a stalking charge against him was in fact a city employee. and marion barry managed to gt a contra to her in the amount of $60,000. we just learned that and will continue to stream this on our website at myfoxdc.com. if the former mayor steps to the front we'll of course take that live. and the "king of pop"

remembered in a tribute fit for a king. fans and family come together to remember him. his daughter paris stepping out of the shadows and onto the stage sharing her grief. >> and i just want to say i love him so much. >> a child is pain, one of the most heart breaking moments of the day. fox 5 news will thomas live in the satellite center with the very latest. >> brian, as you know it was a very public memorial broadcast on all the networks and cable news channels. but despite the made for tv good-bye it was a very personal tribute to the "king of pop". with star studded performances and touching moments from jackson family members. >> i stand here -- trying to find words of comfort. solace, trying the understand why the lord has taken our brother. >> reporter: the words may be tough to find, but the jackson family stood strong, facing the world at michael's memorial.

his children, normally so protected from the spotlight, front and center. >> ever since i was born, daddy has been the -- father you could ever imagine. >> >> reporter: from tearful good- byes to quiet memories of the pop icon who went past generations, inspiring countless artists. >> just call my name and i'll be there. >> reporter: an all-star lineup sang the hit. and one performer knows all about losing loved ones as she recently buried members of her own family. >> hold me ♪ ♪ like a river f jordan. and i will then say to me, you

are my prayer ♪ >> reporter: michael's friends and family spoke. >> he let me know that as an african-american, you could travel the world. there was a world outside of america. other people, all you people who came here to pay respect to somebody who you felt was one of you. >> reporter: others new michael more intimately. brook shields first met him years past. she said his favorite song was smile. >> there is a line that says smile though your het is aching. today, although our hearts are aching -- we need to look up. where he is sitting in a crescent moon. and we need to smile. [cheering and applause] >> if you just smile.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [cheering and applause]. >> reporter: the question remains tonight where will michael jackson be buried? jermaine, his brother you just heard from has publicly said the family wants him buried at neverland ranch. but california lawmakers would have to grant a waiver, and brian, it hasn't happened yet. >> all right, ill thomas, and in charles county, the near drowning of a 2-year-old. the call came in earlier, the sheriff's office says the child was left sleeping in the care of a 14-year-old. when the parents came home, they couldn't find the boy. and when they came home, they found the child in a back yard pool. the child was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. and d.c. recognizing same sex marriages from other states tonight. the gay community is celebrating a battle. but supporters say the fight is far from over. speaking of marriage, throw the

wedding of your drms on a recession budget. we'll show you how it is done. but up next, the air fare war that could save you on your next flight. as low as 30 bucks we're talking for a ticket. we'll be right back in two. 

. it is official, the district is now recognizing the marriage of gay couples. they will recognize unions in states where it is legal. >> there are some in the community who think far right will vow to fight the development. and then there is the district's gay community, pleased with the new law yet promising to fight for full rights for gay couples in the nation's capital. they're celebrating in logan circle tonight, calling it a road to quality, happy hour. >> we have a ways to go, but this is a big step. >> reporter: brian bell and brian pick are newly weds, their marriage is recognized in the city where they live. >> the fact that it was 12:01, i was married here because my marriage in california is

valid. >> reporter: trevor blake, and jeff will be celebrating their third wedding anniversary later this month. >> we're married and i think of him as my husband. and you know we have a relationship that is a lot like other marriages. >> reporter: the two were married in massachusetts and plan to move there until the city council in may voted to recognize the marriages of same sex couples, performed in other states. >> there are a lot of -- significant ideas regaing being married now as opposed to being partners or something else that is not necessarily recognized under the law. >> reporter: the d.c. law needed congressional approval and got it. conservative church leaders tried to block the effort and lost. >> there is a moral and social issue. i believe the direction is not good for society, long term. >> reporter: one spokesperson says he is pushing for a ballot initiative for november's

general ection. >> we think that that is really the issue that the pple of the district of columbia should not be quiet on such an issue as this. >> same sex couples still cannot get a license in d.c., can't be married here in washington, but others will fight to make that change as well. live in the news room, low cost, lavish, things you don't usually associate. plan your dream wedding. coming up next.

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tickets under 100 for short trips. some as low a 30 bucks. look for the cheap fares to start a fare war to get other airlines to follow suit. planning the wedding of your dreams usually comes with a big price tag. but tonight, we learned more about it. we find out about the hidden jewels that help you save without sacrificing. >> reporter: you can have the sound of a big band. without the big price tag. >> if you can offer something that looks grand, that sounds grand, but in actuallity the over head of the product is kept low, that is your magic right there. >> reporter: in the business 25 years, adam white has met more that his share of brides. these days he is trying to help the recession bride. >> when you have the live music and the disk jockey, who cares

how big it is? >> reporter: it is like a hybrid, and mixing a dj with a couple of instruments can really cut costs, you can be dancing to this for just 200 bucks. so what about the dress? there are a lot of opons, and dresses start at 300 at some spots instead of 3000. and check out cocoa miles, custom design your dress, choose the fabric. every dress is 150 bucks or less and can be delivered in six weeks. you can save money on the pictures, have your uncle or friend shoot the pictures, they then hand it to a company to make the pictures. >> one of their tips if you want to save money on flowers, don't plan your wedding

anywhere near valentine's day or mother's day. >> reporter: others are not as pricey, since the shop only has to order one variety. you can save hundreds in a variety of ways. >> they don't have to sacrifice elegance, even if they're on a budget. and we can certainly be a one stop shop. >> reporter: this courtyard here is offering a wedding stimulus package, with prices at just 75 a person. >> maybe a three-course meal, versus the four course. a few cut backs, and they get everything they want. >> reporter: so they can live happily ever after, recession or not. >> glad those days are over. no more planning weddings here. you know what? i am liking the way the five- day forecast is looking. >> nice to have a break from

the rain, to be honest. >> yeah, it is good, and the rain in the five-day forecast wouldn't be a big deal. but after we get through the week, next week, believe the or not, we're going to start getting a little dry around here. we'll need to at least bring in a chance of showers and thunderstorms by next week sometime that will be more substantial than what we're probably going to end up getting this week. but there is a little bit of thunderstorm activity down to the south of us, a frontal system working through. this is quickly moving to the east-southeast. pushing through, you guys know you have heavy rain there, just past south of waldorf, getting a little wet but moving out of here with the front. temperatures out here behind the front not really cooling down yet. but there are cooler temperatures to the north, settling in for tomorrow. and believe it or not, the summer cold front is cooling things off, low 80s for the high. 46 in d.c., 60 for germantown, temperatures in the low 60s

overnight tonight. some places possibly in the suburbs getting into the upper 50s. 68 tomorrow, 80 at noon, 82 at 4:00. so we'll have some pretty nice temperatures out there. and it will be nice tommorow as the high pressure builds in. front hanging up to the south of us, so southern maryland down into southern virginia, there is at least a possibility of a couple of thunderstorms popping up late in the day, early in the evening. but we'll stay dry now tomorrow. spotty showers in the forecast, friday, a thunderstorm, not a big deal though. in the weekend, more humid, warmer, a slight chance of thunderstorms leading into saturday, sunday night, a better chance of that as well. that is the weather forecast. join us here in a few minutes as the news edge continues. we'll have more sports coming right up.

. yeah --

. good evening, i'm dave pelham if feldman the washington capitals made the debut, and williams not here, but there was another williams, older sister, serena in washington, d.c. to help. she played the women's singles against the castles. the five time wimbledon champ and this year's runner up to

her sister, won 5-2, then a mixed doubles match. the freedom beat he capitals, so washington falls to zero and 3. and why are you doing this? >> i love world team tennis. so this is kind of a no-brainer to be here. i'm going to enjoy myself besides trying the win for my team. >> that was venus, you can confuse them, but venus is here visiting with the legend, daryl green. i asked him what he expected from the former team, the redskins. >> you saw a lo at it last year. i think a few things, the coach probably wishes he had it back, if he were put in those situations again i guarantee you he will knock it over the fence. so all they have to do is do what they did last year. being more mature, experienced. we should have in the playoffs. as a matter of fact you better

in the playoffs. >> wow, at one time he was the fastest man in the nfl. he says he is planning on running a fast 40, like the fastest ever run for somebody his age. and baseball, top three, ryan zimmerman, going the other way. this ball just keeps carrying out for a run. a painful turn of events in the fourth, groundball at will harris, watch out. right there -- the hard luck, leaving two runs, right now the nats and rockies are tied at 4 in the 7th. >> you know me, i don't say nothing. that was terrible. is what you're telling me. >> that is old skipper taking issue with a call by home plate

umpire tom hallian, when you are that hot, pleading your case. only one thing happens and that is you get run out of of the game, which you did. right now, mariners, 2. and a 24-plus mile time trial, but this was no piece of cake. a little dicey, keep it in the fairway, people. watch this guy, second back. skipped. ouch, lance armstrong serves win a second of the tour de france lead after his squad won the team trial. switzerland's cancellara is the winner in the yellow. stiller is on the right. from d.c. to ac, a silver spring native becomes the second u.s. international player to sign with a top of the line italy league team. he is going to the power house

there. and beating harrisburg, u.s. open semifinals, mystics lose in overtime at minnesota. i'm dave feldman, we'll be right back to wrap up the edge.

denver differentiate

. updating the breaking news,

d.c. councilman marion barry releasing a statement tonight through his spokesperson. a press conference wrapping up just moments ago. fox 5 news wisdom martin was there at the building. wisdom, this is quite a scene. >> reporter: right it was a bit of fireworks here, starting out as a press conference here, natalie williams coming out here to talk about the allegations leveled against marion barry by donna watts, talking about the contract she was given by him. but then as soon as se started to talk about the allegations as being unstable, and that ms. watts was under care, a woman claiming to be here showed up, saying this is not true. >> it looks like they're scared of something, aren't they? i haven't said anything, they still got to do this. i must be bad. >> reporter: all right, now later she did leave the scene and just for the record, natalie williams, the spokesperson for marion barry did